Cancer Stats

Cancer Stats

Every day, approximately 36 children are diagnosed with cancer. Pediatric cancer remains the leading cause of death by disease in children and the incidence of invasive cancer in children is up 29% in the last 20 years. Despite the need for progress and resolution, childhood cancer awareness and, thus, financial support has not reached the same national level as other cancer awareness campaigns. Numerous childhood cancer foundations and hospitals work judiciously on treatments and therapies; however, since most organizations work independently, no one umbrella of awareness exists to unite efforts and elevate a rising tide of attentiveness and call to action that childhood cancer needs and deserves.

Cancer is the leading cause of death by disease in children and adolescents in the United States. (Source: National Cancer Institute)

It is not one disease; there are 16 major types of pediatric cancers and over 100 subtypes. (Source: PAC2)

Each year in the United States, about 1 in 285 kids are diagnosed with cancer before age 20, about 16,000 a year. That’s more than a classroom of kids per day. (Source: PAC2)

Incidence of invasive pediatric cancers is up 29% in the past 20 years. (Source: National Cancer Institute)

More than 40,000 children undergo treatment for cancer each year. (Source: CureSearch)

Approximately 20% of all children with cancer will die from their disease, a secondary cancer or complications from treatment within 5 years of diagnosis. (National Cancer Institute)

Childhood cancer survivors are at significant risk for secondary cancers later in life. (Source: National Cancer Institute)

In the U.S., approximately 80% of kids survive 5 years; but another 20% of those survivors die prematurely due to the original cancer, a secondary cancer, or effects of treatment. (Source: PAC2)

Even as the 5-year survival rate continues to improve, the incidence of childhood cancer has been steadily increasing over the last few decades, from about 13 children per 100,000 in 1975 to over 17 children per 100,000 in 2010. (Source: Cure Search)

In the last 20 years, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved only two specific pediatric cancer drugs. (American Association for Cancer Research)